Bio

Like many other kid’s in the 80’s, Damien was fascinated with martial arts movies. By the age of 14 and after experiencing enough badly dubbed Kung Fu flicks and possibly one too many spinning back kicks, he turned his hand to Thai boxing after a friend recommended local gym K- Star. Under the tutelage of Steve Logan, Damien began turning his dreams of being a fighter to reality as he began competing in junior bouts and learning the art of Muay Thai. After winning several titles as a junior against some now famous names such as Kieran Keddle, Damien was becoming rapidly renowned for his lightening fast hand speed and ability to finish off opponents early on.

On dominating the junior ranks and making a name for himself as a rising star in the sport, it was time for Damien to step up to adult level competition at the still very young age of 16. Showing no mercy and unfazed by the transition from junior to adult level Damien persisted with his usual no nonsense approach, by stopping his much older opponent within the second round. With ever growing confidence and skill, Damien ripped through eleven opponents in quick succession and gained an English title in the process; beating Chris McDonald on points. Soon after came a string of victories, and two British titles were added to this young stars résumé.

Next on the agenda for Damien was dominating international competition and soon had a European title bout, winning by third round stoppage and truly making his mark in the global rankings.

A full Thai Rules bout was certainly on the cards for the aspiring young star and Damien’s first bout was against Thai legend Wangchannoi. The heavier and more experienced Thai stopped Trainor with a jumping knee to the head in the third round despite Damien rocking the Thai in the second; the more experienced Thai prevailed. After this fight Damien discovered he had broken his hand which continued to hinder his career over the next 18 months. His doctor could not believe that each time Damien broke his hand it was always in the same point. Usually when you rebreak a bone it always breaks either just before or just after the original break. “ You must punch very hard Mr Trainor” the doctor said on a few occasions and he was correct.

Damien continued to smash through his opposition despite his hand repeatedly breaking from using his devastating left hook. Opponents such as Reece Crooke, Chris Heynamen and Nicolas Cartellia were all defeated and two European titles gained although Damien’s hand was still affecting his fighting style massively.

After encountering more international opponents, Damien grew bored of the U.K Muay Thai scene and decided to pack his bags for a long stint in Thailand to hone his skills and absorb the culture.

Like any other enthusiastic fighter Damien fought and trained in Thailand, Australia and all over Asia for a year. He began developing his name over there as a Western fighter and also added the Hong Kong title to his ever-growing collection of achievements. During this time Damien travelled home to take on another young star Andy Howson. Shaping up to be one of the best domestic fights of the year, unfortunately Damien broke his hand for the fourth time and had to pull out of the contest at the end of the third round; the win going to Howson. Two more epic battles have been fought since their first encounter, both sharing the win on separate occasions.

On returning to the U.K and more dangerous then ever, Damien continued to beat who was put in front of him in superb fashion, stopping two of France’s best in the process, Albert Veera Chey and Sebastian Ocana. After the fightwith Ocana, Damien took some time out to concentrate on teaching the students at K-Star and pass on his wealth of knowledge to the new up and coming fighters.

18 months had passed and Damien was eager to get back into the ring, still having the burning desire for what he had not yet accomplished… to become a world champion. A new contract was signed with Dan Green Promotions and a fight was arranged shortly after with Portuguese champion Rui Garcia. Garcia did not last long, taking an eight count in the first round and then being knocked out with a ferocious head kick in the second.

Damien was now set and fully prepared for a world title shot against aggressive French fighter, Gaylord Montier. After a shocking upset where Damien knocked out Montier with a left head kick at the beginning of the third round, Damien was finally crowned World Champion.

After various bouts in the U.K and in Hong Kong Damien was set to fight the illusive and erratic Tawatchai Budsadee whom he beat on points, but was criticised in his victory and so fought a rematch; seeing Damien pulverise the Thai over another gruelling five rounds.

Another European title was in Damien’s crosshairs as he fought Said Youb, beating him comfortably on points and dropping him with his famous left hook in the second round; now making him four times European champion.

A few more fights and another world title was claimed by Damien not long after he was scheduled to fight the Thai wrecking ball Rungravee Sasiprapa. No one gave Damien a chance in this contest as Rungravee had gone through all Western opposition with ease.

What can only be described as a sensational and inspirational performance, Damien really stepped up to the challenge. The much bigger Thai was forced to work for his victory as Damien’s fast hands took Rungravee out of his comfort zone for the full five rounds. Despite losing on points, Damien received a standing ovation from the audience.

From the beginning of Damien’s career he has set out to make his mark in Muay Thai, taking on every challenge possible, no matter how big or what odds were stacked against him. Just like his idol Ramon Dekkers, Damien is continuing to fight the best the world has to offer and aspires to go down in history in a similar fashion.